STATEN ISLAND, NY - TOTTENVILLE - For years, some intrepid souls, mostly teen-agers, would drive their cars down Bedell Avenue, below Hylan Boulevard, looking to catch a glimpse of what they believed was a ghost.

There are many multi-million dollar homes on Bedell Avenue, which faces the Raritan Bay and Conference House Park in Tottenville.
(Staten Island Advance/Mark Stein)

But, since gigantic, multi-million homes were built in the last decade, the green image assumed to be a paranormal figure that appeared from a reflection in the tall trees' leaves has faded, leaving no vision of a specter, only a waterfront paradise for residents.

Toward the end of Hylan, tucked between Page and Bedell avenues, a spacious community prides itself on the special property it sits on.

The two streets serve as the only access points, and each provides a long stretch of road that is shielded by forest on both sides.

An area once considered a ghost town by some is now home to pricey mansions and tree-lined streets.
(Staten Island Advance/Mark Stein)

Each of the new homes was custom-built by the owner, and every piece of property has a distinct characteristic - a beautiful fountain, a large garden, a pond filled with fish, a basketball court, animal statues, or a combination of some or all.

Everybody has ample space to drive, park or play in the streets, and the only audible sounds are that of the ocean and the wind as it rustles the leaves overhead.

Homeowner Ayman Farid said the location is the best on Staten Island, by far.

"It's secluded. It's near the water. That's the beauty of it," he said. "They're not cookie-cutter homes. They're very personalized."

He said some people refer to the stretch of homes between Page and Bedell as the new Nicolosi Drive, which is a similar area, further north, filled with exquisite and expensive multi-story homes nestled behind St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School in Annadale.

"It's a great area and it's a good community to live in with your children," said resident Fran Shapiro, who moved to Colita Court (off Bedell) five years ago. "We're all just working and trying to survive in this tough economy, and when you have a nice community to live in, it helps."

Said best with a smile by Joe Mazini, whose home is located on the right side after passing through the long stretch of wooded roadway, "It's quiet."

However, teen-agers have not disappeared entirely. They still come to the area - not to see ghosts, but to have beers, smoke marijuana and make a mess at the beach.

"It's nice, except for when the teens come down here and do their drugs and drink," said Lisa Corso, who lives near the water, where the young adults party. "They trash the property."

She added that the 123rd Police Precinct, which sits at nearby Main Street, does little to help, and though while it's a luxury having a $3 million home near the beach, it's sometimes hard to enjoy it.

"You pay a lot of money for property taxes here, and you'd think they'd clean the weeds taller than you," said Mrs. Corso, referring to the tall grasses that sat at the end of the block on a trail that leads to the water. "It's beautiful over here, and it's just a shame the city can't clean it up."

A police sergeant at the 123rd Precinct was unaware of the situation, but said teens hanging out at places like Bedell Avenue is common. He said patrol cars normally address such issues.